Surgical needle



May 22, 1962 M. GUIORGUIEV SURGICAL NEEDLE Filed Dec. 27. 1960 @Mw/FM,

United States Patent Office 3,035,580 Patented May 22, 1962 3,035,580SURGICAL NEEDLE Methodi Guorguiev, 241 Knollwood Ave., Cranston, R.I.Filed Dec. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 78,512 18 Claims. (Cl. 12S-303.18)

My present invention relates to surgical instruments and moreparticularly to a surgical needle used for removing hair or tissue fromthe skin.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a surgicalneedle having a cooling system for relieving the burning sensation onthe skin and for reducing pain.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surgical needlewhich is air or fluid cooled for cooling -both the needle and the skin.

A further object of the present invention to provide a surgical needlehaving a pressurized cooling system which also removes the burning gasesfrom the skin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surgical needlewith pressurized air jets which maintains an air gap `between the needleand the follicle wall.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view myinvention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosedin the detailed description following in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 41 is an enlarged elevation of a Ysurgical needle embodying mypresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged section taken on line 3 3 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged sectional view of the needle construction.

Surgical needles which emit electric currents are used for removingexcess hair or for burning small blemishes and unwanted tissues from thesurface or beneath the surface of the skin.

The most common use for these needles is in electrolysis treatments forremoving hair. The needle is usually Ibetween .002 inch to .009 inch indiameter. It is inserted into the skin adjacent the hair follicle for adistance suicient to reach the root. The electric current is then turnedon for approximately one minute to kill the root. Where a short wavecurrent is used the time is reduced to a twentieth of a second. In anyevent the skin surrounding the follicle and the needle is sensitive tothe heat and pain and is also affected by the current. As a result theuse of such a needle is accompanied `with pain and discomfort. Thepresent invention is designed to provide a surgical needle in which ajet of pressurized air or other uid is introduced around the needle andif necessary through it. 'Ihis air provides a cooling action for boththe needle and the skin and relieves the pain by removing the burningsensation and replacing it with the pressure of cold air. The manyadvantages of this construction will be hereinafter developed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the device of the presentinvention comprises a metal support or housing having a central valvesection 11 from which a heavy tubular portion 12 extends laterally. Thetubular portion 12 having external threads 13. A second tubular portion14 extends from the valve portion 1'1 in axial alignment with theportion 12 but in the opposite direction. 'Ihe tubular portion 14 isthinner walled and has a larger internal diameter than the portion 12.The portion 12 is provided with a narrow central bore 15 and is slottedtowards its outer end with a plurality of slots 16 (3 shown). Theportion 14 is provided with a central bore 17. Communication between thebores 15 and 17 is controlled by the valve in the portion 11. Thiscomprises a vertically slidable valve member 18 lhaving a plunger shaft19 extending upwardly through an opening in the portion 11. A dielectriciinger engaging button 20 is mounted on top of the plunger 19. Beneaththe valve 18 is a coil spring 21 normally retaining the valve in closedposition which is its uppermost position. A dielectric plug 22 is usedto close the bottom end of the valve opening. The exposed area of ltheportion 11 is covered with insulating material 23. Communication betweenthe -bores 15 and 17 is therefore effected by pushing the buttondownwardly against the action of the spring 21. When the button 20 isreleased the valve will close.

The needle itself is mounted in the threaded portion 12. Referring toFIG. 4 I prefer to use a hollow needle 24 which is held in an elongatedcylindrical support 25. Since it is difficult to provide the support 25with an accurate central bore equal to the outside diameter of theneedle 24, the central bore of the support 25 is initially formed of alarger diameter than the needle and the excess space filled with ametallic conductive fill 26. The needle assembly with the support 25 ispushed yinto the front end of the portion `12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the resiliency of the front end caused by the slots 16 serving to holdit tightly in position. I-n pushing the support 25 into the portion 12it should be noted that the rear ends of the slots 16 remainunobstructed. I now provide a dielectric sleeve 27 which may be made ofplastic material. The sleeve 27 is internmly threaded to mesh with thethreads 13. The forward end is tapered at 28 terminating in a narrowpassageway 29 through which the needle 24 extends. The diameter of thepassageway is approximately .020 inch. This allows suilicient spacearound the needle for the passage of air.

On the opposite side, the cylindrical portion 14 is surrounded by atubular dielectric sleeve 30 which is longer than the portion 14 andextends well beyond its end. A dielectric exible tube 31 is forced overthe end of the sleeve 30. An electric cord connection 32 extendscoaxially with the tube 31 and the end of the bare wire is soldered at33 to the end of the tubular portion 14. The electricity passes from thewire 32 to the portion 14 across the intermediate valve portion 11, intothe tubular portion 12, the needle support 25, through the lill 26 tothe needle 24. The various dielectric sleeves serve to protect theoperator in the handling of the needle. In addition to the foregoing itis preferred that the needle also be insulated. The portion of theneedle extending from the front end of the sleeve 27 is approximately1/s inch in length. 'Ihis is the average depth for a hair follicle inthe skin. However, the electric charge is only effective at the tip endof the needle and it is desirable to concentrate that charge at the tip.Referring to |FIG. 4, I provide a suitable insulation 34, preferably achemical insulator which is extremely thin, to coat the needle from thesupport 25 outwardly towards the tip end of the needle. The insulationcoats the needle leaving only approximately 1/32 of an inch exposed atthe tip. This concentrates the electric charge at the working end of theneedle and prevents electrical losses due to the contact of the skinwith the shank of the needle. It also prevents burning of the skin atpoints where it may touch the needle.

With the above construction the tube 31 is connected to a source of airunder pressure. When the operator rinserts the needle the valve 18 isopened by pressure on the member 20 and the air passes into the portion12 through the slots 16, into the front end of the sleeve 2S and outthrough the opening 29 around the needle. The air comes out in a jetstream surrounding the needle and the impact of the air on the skinrelieves any sensation of pain or burning. Where a hollow needle is usedthe air will also pass through the needle. It desired a separatepressure may be connected to the end of the needle so that a pressuredillerential may be maintained between the outside pressure and thepressure passing through the needle. 'I'his differential may be variedfor different applications and uses of the needle. Furthermore, with ahollow needle, an antiseptic or a local anesthetic can be injectedthrough the needle.

There are a great many advantages in the use of a jet stream f air inconjunction with this type of surgical needle. Besides cooling the skin,the needle itself is also cooled. The air pressure around the needletends to keep the skin distended away from the needle and serves as aninsulator for the electricity and the heat. It also serves to remove thegases formed at the tip end. The final result is a faster and moreefdcient operation of the needle with the pain and discomfort Virtuallyremoved. Other advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. AA surgical needle comprising an elongated ltubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the dlow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing,and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of saidhousing.

2. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, an electriccord connection to the other end of said housing, and means forsupplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

3. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, anelectric cord connection to the other end of said housing, and means forsupplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

4. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable Valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectricmaterial, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing,and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of saidhousing.

5. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connectionto the other end of said housing and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said houslng.

6. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through saidhousing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectricmaterial, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, an electriccord connection to the other end of said housing, and means forsupplying air under pressure to said other end of said housing.

7. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the liow of air through saidhousing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectricmaterial, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connectionto the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said housing.

8. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the llow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing,and means for supplying air -under pressure to said other end of saidhousing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means.

9. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, a hollow needle mounted in one end of said housing andextending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end ofsaid housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said otherend of said housing.

10. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the oW of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end of said housing,and means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of saidhousing, said needle mounting including a tubular support having aplurality of slots extending from the front end longitudinally andcommunicating with said housing.

1l. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable `ralveintermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of airthrough said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing andextending therefrom, an electric cord connection to the other end ofsaid housing, and means for supplying air under pressure to said otherend of said housing, said needle being electrically insulated from itsmounting to a point adjacent the tip end.

l2. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connectionto the other end of said housing and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connectionextending through said air supply means.

13. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valveintermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the flow of airthrough said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing andextending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion ofsaid housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needleand having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, theextended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, adielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cordconnection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying airunder pressure to said other end of said housing.

14. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connectionto the other end of said housing and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said housing, said needle mountingincluding a tubular support having a plurality of slots extending fromthe front end longitudinally and communicating with said housing.

15. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the ow of air through saidhousing, the housing around said valve being covered with a dielectricmaterial, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord conectionto the other end of said housing, and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said housing, said needle beingelectrically insulated from its mounting to a point adjacent the tipend.

16. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valveintermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the iiow of airthrough said housing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing andextending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion ofsaid housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needleand having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, theextended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, adielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cordconnection to the other end of said housing, and means for supplying airunder pressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connectionextending through said air supply means.

17. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a manually operable valve intermediatethe ends of said housing for controlling the flow of air through saidhousing, a needle mounted in one end of said housing and extendingtherefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion of saidhousing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needle andhaving a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, the extendedportion of said needle extending through said passageway, a dielectricsleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cord connectionto the other end of said housing and means for supplying air underpressure to said other end of said housing, said cord connectionextending through said air supply means, said needle mounting including`a tubular support having a plurality of slots extending from the frontend longitudinally and communicating with said housing.

18. A surgical needle comprising an elongated tubular housing ofelectrically conductive material, a hollow manually operable valveintermediate the ends of said housing for controlling the ow of airthrough said housing, a needle mounted on one end of said housing andextending therefrom, a dielectric sleeve covering the needle portion ofsaid housing, said sleeve tapering at its outer end toward said needleand having a passageway of larger diameter than said needle, theextended portion of said needle extending through said passageway, adielectric sleeve over said other end of said housing, an electric cordconnection to the other end of said housing,

rand means for supplying air under pressure to said other end of saidhousing, said cord connection extending through said air supply means,said needle mounting including a tubular support having -a plurality ofslots extending from the front end longitudinally and communieating withsaid housing.

References Cited in the lehf this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,210,3-16 Hollingshead Dec. 26, 1916 2,110,735 Marton Mar. 8, 19382,283,314 CkOla May 19, 1942

